Mindfulness is a term that is associated with meditation and yoga.
But it can also be associated with eating. Eating mindfully is when you incorporate mindfulness practices into your eating habits.
Doing so has proven to be beneficial in helping reduce weight and even tackle eating disorders.
In this article, we will take a further look into mindfulness eating and its benefits.
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What is in the article?
What is Mindful Eating?
Mindful eating is the practice of paying full attention to the experience of eating and drinking, both inside and outside the body.
It involves noticing the following about our food:
- Colours.
- Smells.
- Textures.
- Flavours.
- Temperatures.
- And even the sounds.
Mindful eating encompasses becoming aware of the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that arise during eating.
The Principles of Mindful Eating
Here are the key principles:
Listening to Hunger and Fullness Cues
A key principle of mindful eating is recognising physical hunger.
This is because of the understanding between physical hunger and emotional or habitual hunger you need to have.
When you do this you can pay attention to the body’s signals of satiety and stop eating when comfortably full.
Eating with Intention and Attention
Mindful eating involves having a clear purpose for eating, such as nourishment, rather than eating out of boredom or stress.
You can do this by being fully present during meals, and minimising distractions like TV or phones to focus on the food.
We live in a world that is full of distractions. These distractions keep our brains from noticing when we are full which is why it’s important to limit them when it comes to mindful eating.
Savouring the Moment
Notice the colours, smells, textures, and flavours of the food that you eat. Also, take time to chew food slowly and thoroughly to enhance digestion and appreciation.
This helps to keep your focus and concentration which is a huge part of mindfulness eating.
Understanding the Eating Environment
Make sure that you eat in a calm and pleasant environment. It needs to be a place that won’t tempt you with distractions.
Preferably it should be at your kitchen table away from your phone and with the TV off.
This calming and distraction-free environment will give you the best chance possible to focus solely on eating your food.
The Benefits of Mindful Eating
Here are some of the key benefits of adopting mindful eating practices:
- Improved digestion – Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly aids in better digestion and nutrient absorption. This study carried out in 2019 shows mindful eating improves gastrointestinal and digestive function.
- Weight management – By being more aware of what and how much you are eating, mindful eating can help you make healthier food choices and avoid overeating.
- Enhanced enjoyment of food – Focusing on the sensory experience of eating enhances the enjoyment and satisfaction of meals.
- Better relationship with food – Developing a non-judgmental awareness of eating habits fosters a healthier relationship with food, reducing guilt and anxiety related to eating.
- Increased awareness of hunger and fullness cues – By tuning into your body’s natural hunger and satiety signals, you can learn to eat more intuitively, reducing the likelihood of overeating or undereating.
- Emotional well-being – The practice of being present and mindful can reduce stress and anxiety, contributing to overall emotional well-being.
- Enhanced mind-body connection – Mindful eating strengthens the connection between the mind and body, helping you become more attuned to your body’s needs and responses.
- Sustainable healthy habits – Unlike restrictive diets, mindful eating promotes sustainable habits that can be maintained long-term, leading to lasting health benefits.
How to Mindfully Eat
Here’s a guide to get started:
Step 1 – Prepare Your Eating Environment
Choose a quiet, comfortable place to eat, free from distractions such as TV, phones, or computers.
Step 2 – Engage Your Senses
Look at the colours, shapes, and presentation.
Notice the aroma and any sounds as you prepare to take your first bite. Smaller bites help you savour the food and allow for better digestion.
Step 3 – Chew Thoroughly
Chew each bite thoroughly, paying attention to the texture and flavours. This not only aids digestion but also enhances the eating experience.
After taking a bite, put your utensils down and focus on chewing.
Step 4 – Be Present
Focus solely on eating. Avoid reading, watching TV, or using your phone.
Take your time to enjoy your meal. Eating slowly helps you recognise when you’re full and prevents overeating.
Step 5 – Listen to Your Body
Pay attention to your body’s signals. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re comfortably full, not stuffed.
Throughout the meal, periodically pause to assess your hunger and fullness levels.
Step 6 – Appreciate the Experience
Focus on the flavours, textures, and sensations of each mouthful. Enjoy the experience of eating.
After eating, take a moment to reflect on how the food made you feel and whether you enjoyed it.
Applying Mindful Eating in Eating Disorder Recovery
Mindful eating helps those with eating disorders rebuild a connection with their body’s natural hunger and fullness cues, which may have been ignored or distorted during their illness.
By adopting a non-judgmental attitude towards food, mindful eating can reduce the guilt and shame often associated with eating disorders.
Mindful eating encourages individuals to recognise and address emotional triggers for disordered eating behaviours, promoting healthier coping mechanisms.
It also emphasises the enjoyment and nourishment aspects of food, helping to shift focus away from restrictive or compulsive behaviours.
It supports viewing food as a source of nourishment and pleasure rather than something to control or fear.
Mindfulness Eating with POW8R
Mindful eating is a powerful tool in the recovery from eating disorders.
It helps you reconnect with your body’s needs, manage emotional triggers, and build a healthier relationship with food.
By incorporating mindfulness into daily eating habits, those recovering from eating disorders can develop lasting skills to support their journey towards health and well-being.
At POW8R we have a health and fitness app that can help you lead a healthier lifestyle.
As well as getting access to hundreds of on-demand workouts we offer 1 to 1 advice and guidance that can help with your eating habits and nutrition.
Please check out our membership options to find a plan that suits you.